Goldstein Recounts Maccabiah Games

Courtesy: cyclones.com

Release: 08/12/2013

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Emily Goldstein’s offseason was a little busier than most, as the Iowa State soccer standout helped the United States earn a gold medal at the 2013 Maccabiah games. In addition to the gold medal, the Cyclone also came home with lifelong friends and memories.

Goldstein, a senior midfielder for the Iowa State soccer team, competed in the games which took place from July 17-30. She was second among all scorers for the U.S. with eight goals. The Cyclone athlete helped lead the United States to a 5-0-1 record while outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 40-2.

Goldstein’s trip to Israel lasted three and a half weeks. The bulk of the trip was filled with training and practices, but the schedule did allow for a few days of sightseeing.

“It was definitely a life changing experience,” Goldstein said. “It was one of the greatest trips of my life. We got to see sites and things that I learned about in history classes. I got see many sites that are very big in the Jewish culture. The whole trip was very eye opening and gave me a lot of pride to be Jewish.”

The Maccabiah Games is an event open to all Jewish athletes as well as all Israeli athletes regardless of religion. The games, which take place every four years in Israel, are the largest Jewish athletic competition with many Olympic athletes having competed in the games.

Goldstein, a two-time Big 12 offensive player of the week, knows that competing in the Maccabiah games will only help her and give her the upper hand on the competition.

“The entire experience will help me this season,” Goldstein said. “The first five days of the trip we had two-a-days and trained vigorously. The games gave me a great opportunity to practice. It will help me a lot for this preseason. I will have my legs underneath of me because I have been playing for a month. I am not as rusty as I would be if I hadn’t played all summer.”

The Iowa State soccer team kicks off their season with an exhibition against Illinois State on Sunday, August 18th. Goldstein is entering her final season as a Cyclone and hopes to use her past experience to become a leader for the team.

“Things are a lot more serious for me this year because it’s my last year,” Goldstein said. “I really want to show people what our program is all about.”